NO SNOW, SO LET MOTORBIKES USE GREAT ALPINE ROAD

Inflexibility in the use of the Great Alpine Road is having a detrimental effect on tourism in Gippsland, according to Gippsland MP Peter Hall.

The Nationals' MP appealed in State Parliament this week for a change to restrictions on the Great Alpine Road so that motorcyclists can be accommodated according to actual weather conditions.

Mr Hall said the current regulations, which prevented motorcyclists from using the Great Alpine Road during the snow season, would adversely impact on tourism in towns like Omeo and others in the Tambo Valley.

In a year when there was very little snow or ice on the road, it was silly to not allow motorcycles to use this route. "Dust is currently a greater problem on the Great Alpine Road than either ice or snow," Mr Hall said.

"(This) weekend the 2006 Australian motorcycle grand prix will be staged at Phillip Island," Mr Hall told Parliament. "Literally thousands of motorcyclists from New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory journey through Gippsland as they make their way to Phillip Island.

"The Great Alpine Road from Wangaratta to Bairnsdale is one of Australia's most popular motorcycling routes.

"But this year, because it is still the snow season, motorcyclists are going to be prevented from using this route because motorcycles, unlike motor vehicles, can not be fitted with chains.

"The fact of the matter is that there is no snow on the roads at the moment. Temperatures are forecast to be in the 20s this week, and the outlook for next week is good again."

Mr Hall urged the State Government to authorise VicRoads to allow motorcycle access on the Great Alpine Road so long as weather conditions continue to permit, to accommodate motorcycles travelling to and from Phillip Island.

"It seems a commonsense provision. VicRoads warning signs could be quite easily placed at both Wangaratta and Bairnsdale advising motorcyclists of the openness or otherwise of this road, so I appeal to the government to do all in its power to enable the motorcyclists to use the Great Alpine Road."

Media contact: Peter Hall (03) 5174 7066